Starlink Mini 2: What’s New, What $999 Gets You, and When It Could Reach Africa

SpaceX's Starlink Mini was first introduced in 2024, offering a portable way to access high-speed satellite internet without the need for a traditional home installation. The original US launch price was $599, with a simple promise of a compact satellite dish that could be set up in minutes and used wherever there was a clear view of the sky.

Now, SpaceX is back with the Starlink Mini 2, and one of the biggest changes fans have noticed is the price.

The Mini 2 is currently being offered to selected US customers for $999. That's $400 more than the original Mini's launch price, but with a caveat: the new price includes a full year of Starlink's Roam Unlimited service.

It also comes with something arguably more interesting: a removable, swappable battery that lets users access satellite internet without carrying a separate power source.

What you get with the Starlink Mini 2

The biggest upgrade is the 71Wh swappable battery. It clips onto the back of the dish and provides up to 4.5 hours of connectivity on a single charge, according to Starlink.

You can remove the battery without tools, so you can carry a spare and swap it when the first one runs out. You can also power the device through USB-C, making it easier to use with compatible power sources.

But the dish itself is thinner, measuring 23.1mm compared with 38.5mm on the original Mini. However, it's heavier at 1.6kg with the battery and kickstand attached.

Other upgrades include Wi-Fi 6, replacing the original Mini's Wi-Fi 5, and wireless coverage of up to 167 square metres. There's also a physical power button and a USB-C charging connection, replacing the original's proprietary power cable.

It retains the IP67 dust and water resistance rating, which means SpaceX hasn't changed everything about the original design.

Why does the Mini 2 cost so much more?

A day before the Mini 2 was announced, YouTuber DISHYtech discovered references in Starlink's website code to a "Mini 2 Beta Kit" priced at $249. A separate listing also suggested that a spare battery could cost $50.

That discovery raised questions about the $999 price SpaceX is currently asking.

The important distinction is that the $999 preorder offer includes the Mini 2 hardware and a full year of Roam Unlimited service, which SpaceX values at $2,100. So, the price isn't simply what you're paying for the dish itself.

The leaked $249 listing could point to a much cheaper hardware-only option once the device becomes more widely available. Though Starlink hasn't confirmed that this will be its final retail price. The listing also appears to relate to a beta kit, so it shouldn't be treated as a confirmed price for everyone.

For now, the $999 invitation-only offer is the confirmed preorder package. Starlink has yet to announce a standalone hardware price.

Starlink Raises Its Subscription Price to ₦75,000 in Nigeria

This marks the second time the company has attempted to raise prices after backtracking an increment in October 2024.

TechloyEmmanuel Oyedeji

When will the Mini 2 reach other regions?